Kate Bush Back on Top

Kate Bush Is Back – The Vinyl Icon Reborn Through Stranger Things

On May 27, 2022, the long-awaited fourth season of Netflix’s Stranger Things dropped—and let’s be honest, it might have just saved the platform from falling off a cliff. But what does that have to do with our monthly series Choose the Artist?

Well, this time we’ve chosen none other than the extraordinary Kate Bush as the centerpiece of this edition. Why? Because the legendary singer has just been reborn, gaining millions of new fans overnight thanks to a hauntingly perfect sync of her song Running Up That Hill.

Didn’t Watch Stranger Things? Here's Why You Still Know the Song

Even if you haven’t been keeping up with Stranger Things, there’s almost no way you haven’t heard that song this year. It exploded across the globe, becoming the anthem of the summer. At KTS, now that the immediate hype has cooled down and you probably know the full lyrics by heart, we’re taking a moment to shine the spotlight on the brilliant woman behind it all.

Who Is Kate Bush?

Kate Bush is a British singer-songwriter, composer, and visionary performer. She shot to fame in the late '70s—thanks in part to a little push from family friend David Gilmour of Pink Floyd—who believed in her talent so fiercely that he helped her sign to EMI Records at just 16 years old.

With a soprano voice and a unique artistic flair for dance, storytelling, and piano-driven melodies, Bush became one of the most influential women in British music history.

Her First #1: Wuthering Heights

At just 19, Kate became the first female artist to top the UK charts with a self-written song: Wuthering Heights (1978), inspired by the gothic novel by Emily Brontë. Her ethereal voice, mystical lyrics, and theatrical style captivated the UK—and created a cult following of collectors and fans who still treasure her records today.

Many of those early pressings are now considered most valuable vinyls for collectors worldwide.

Running Up That Hill: Then vs. Now

In 1985, Kate released Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) from her fifth studio album Hounds of Love. Though it reached #3 in the UK at the time, it never quite became the global hit it was meant to be—until 37 years later.

When Stranger Things featured it during one of the most emotional scenes of Season 4, it shot up the charts again. Kate broke three world records:

• Longest time for a song to reach #1 in the UK
• Oldest female artist to reach #1
• Most streamed catalog song in a single week

Cher even congratulated her for stealing the record—gracefully, of course.

If you walk into any record store today, you’ll see Hounds of Love proudly sitting in the best vinyl record storage displays. The demand is back, and vinyl lovers are thrilled.

Kate Bush Today: Still Magical, Still Relevant

At 64, Kate Bush is once again the voice of a generation—this time a new one. Thanks to the emotional pull of Running Up That Hill, her legacy has found a second wind. It’s now common to see Gen Zs and longtime vinyl heads searching for the perfect copy of Hounds of Love to slide into their lp cabinet record storage setup.

And it’s not just nostalgia. Her lyrics, vision, and artistry have stood the test of time.

Why Kate Bush Belongs in Your Vinyl Shelf

Bush’s records are not only filled with soul and storytelling—they’re also visually stunning. From The Kick Inside to Never for Ever, her artwork is bold and timeless, making her LPs a prized addition to any music vinyls collection.

If you’re just getting into her discography, here’s a quick collector tip:
Organize your records with the best vinyl record storage to keep them safe, visible, and ready to play. Whether it’s a minimalist shelf or a retro wood crate, your lp cabinet record storage should protect treasures like this.

Stranger Things Season 4: The Perfect Storm

The series creators described Season 4 as their most ambitious yet—and you can tell. The use of Running Up That Hill in Max’s iconic escape scene was a masterstroke in emotional storytelling and musical placement. And it’s no coincidence the song found new life through such a powerful moment.

Producer Shawn Levy explained:

"It was the perfect storm—delayed by COVID, reshaped by creative ambition, and ultimately delivered with more heart than ever."

Final Note: Don’t Just Stream It—Spin It

As Kate Bush once said, “There’s something about vinyl you can’t quite put into words.” We agree. Music vinyls offer an experience you can hold, admire, and truly feel.

So if you’ve rediscovered Running Up That Hill this year, don’t just add it to a playlist. Add it to your shelf. Whether it’s new or vintage, let Kate Bush live in your most valuable vinyls collection—right where she belongs.

Thanks for spinning with us again.
🎶 #KeepThemSpinning — and keep running up that hill.